University of Cincinnati Unveils New AI Center Focused on Transforming Humanities

The University of Cincinnati is introducing a new center dedicated to the ethical use of artificial intelligence (AI). This center, set to open this fall in the Department of Philosophy, is called the Center for Explainable, Ethical, and Trustworthy AI.

Director Andre Curtis-Trudel, an assistant professor of philosophy, describes it as a space to explore how AI should be used in classrooms and daily life. Instead of diving into the tech side of AI, the focus will be on research and workshops guided by the university’s English and philosophy faculty.

Addressing concerns about AI, Curtis-Trudel highlights that these systems can spread misinformation, facilitate cybercrimes, exacerbate mental health issues, and potentially harm the environment. He emphasizes that the key question is how we want to use AI and what ethical considerations should guide our choices.

The center won’t work in isolation. It plans to team up with several organizations, including the Cincinnati Ethics Center and the Gaskins Foundation. The goal is to create K-12 lesson plans on AI ethics and to establish an AI ethics summer camp for local high school students starting in 2026.

Public engagement is also a priority. UC aims to host discussions to gather community input on the role of AI in society. Curtis-Trudel notes that many new AI developments occur without the voices of those most affected by them. This center aims to give people a platform to discuss how AI can positively impact society and highlight areas of caution.

Funding for the center comes from a nearly $500,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and about $165,000 from UC’s College of Arts and Sciences.

AI is a hot topic today, with the Pew Research Center reporting that 61% of Americans feel uneasy about AI’s expanding role in society. As awareness of AI’s implications grows, this center seeks to foster thoughtful conversations about its ethical use and to navigate the challenges it presents.

This initiative at UC is crucial in shaping a responsible future for AI, putting ethics at the forefront of technological advancement.

For more information, you can refer to the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Pew Research Center for insights on public attitudes towards AI.

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